New research finds that people with a tendency toward addictive behaviors are more likely to come up with creative ideas, but then struggle to select the best idea. Nearly 600 college students participated in the study, which is published in Psychological Reports.
Researchers found that a trait called “novelty seeking” partially explained this connection. Novelty seeking, which refers to a person’s desire for new and intense experiences, was higher in addiction-prone individuals, helping them produce more ideas. However, this same trait made it harder for them to pick the best ideas, as their constant drive for newness interfered with decision-making.
The study also found that depressive tendencies influenced this dynamic. Those with higher levels of depression were less likely to seek new experiences, which in turn reduced their ability to generate creative ideas.
Researchers focused on college students because they said that the age group is at a critical stage for both creativity and vulnerability to substance use disorders.